July 16, 2026
Media Contact:
VDH: RaShel Charles, rashel.charles@vdh.virginia.gov
City of Hopewell: Kyle English, kenglish@hopewellva.gov
Recreational Water Advisory Issued for Bailey Bay, Hopewell
Virginia Residents Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water
RICHMOND, Va. – Out of an abundance of caution and due to the anticipated timelines for repairs, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), in coordination with the City of Hopewell, is issuing a recreational water advisory for Virginia residents following a report of a force main break, which is a burst in a pressurized sewer pipe.
For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising Virginia residents to avoid recreational water activities in Bailey Bay, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur. Boating activities where full-body submersion is not likely to occur (motor boating, flatwater canoeing or kayaking, and fishing) may continue with proper caution to avoid exposure to contaminated water.
The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage main break to a tributary of Bailey Bay that was discovered by Hopewell Water Renewal the morning of July 14. The release remains active to the ground surface at 1401 South First Avenue near Cattail Creek and is estimated at 400,000 to 500,000 gallons per day. Cattail Creek, a tributary of Bailey Creek and Bailey Bay, is a swampy waterbody with slow moving water.
At this time, impacts to Bailey Creek and Bailey Bay have not been observed. The timeline for the repair is expected to occur over the next week. City crews and specialized contractors have been working continuously since the force main break discovery to excavate the damaged pipe, source repair materials, and evaluate repair options. VDH is issuing the advisory so the public may avoid the area until the repair is confirmed. The advisory area for Bailey Bay extends from City Point in the City of Hopewell to Jordan Point in Prince George County.
At this time, VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water. Additionally, the force main break has not affected wastewater service for City of Hopewell utility customers.
For updates on the repair status, visit the Department of Environmental Quality’s Sewer Main Failure webpage. The advisory will remain in effect until repairs are complete and VDH determines recreational use can resume.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:
- Avoid contact with water in the advisory area and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
- Avoid any area of the water body where water has a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
- Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
- Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
- When harvesting fish, discard skin, organs, cook the meat to proper temperature, and clean cutting boards and cutting implements with warm soapy water.
For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
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